Bangkok

INTRO
The Great City of Angels. The Eternal Jewel City. The Grand Capital of the World Endowed with Nine Precious Gems. The Happy City Abounding in an Enormous Royal Palace Resembling the Heavenly Abode Where the Reincarnated God Reigns. Contrary to what you might think, this is not the full name of Los Angeles. This is the literal English translation of the ancient name of a different dream factory, the wondrous city of Bangkok. Here, among the steeple towers of the temples lies the magical place where the economic pulse of Asia is generated. The hectic pace of urban life in the heart of Thailand is a spectacle you cannot miss.

City Profile
City: Bangkok
Country: Thailand
Area: 1,568.7 km2
Population: 6,642,566
Districts: 50
Governor: SApirak Kosayothin
Language: Thai
Rating: #1 / 126 at Asian-Cities

LOCATION
Apart from being the social, political and economic centre of the country, Bangkok is also its geographical middle. Its strategic location on the low plains of the Chao Phraya River has made it the main Thai port. With two of the busiest international airports in Asia situated just a short drive away from the city centre, it serves as a major gateway to Thailand and the whole of the Asian continent.

TIME TO VISIT
Bangkok has a tropical climate, strongly influenced by seasonal monsoons which bring heavy rainfall. The three main seasons that can be distinguished during the year are winter (November - February), summer (March - June) and the rainy period (July - October). With an average of 24°C during the winter months and 34°C in the summer, Bangkok is considered the hottest big city in the world. Therefore, the best time to visit is the period between November and March, when the temperature isn't so high and the rainfall is at a minimum. Moreover, this is the time of year when visitors have a chance to witness the spectacular celebrations of the New Year and participate in various local festivals.

POPULATION
The number of registered inhabitants of the city is estimated at around 7 mln; however, sources speak of a 15 mln daytime population that includes people commuting from the surrounding areas, as well as unregistered residents. The majority of the population is Thai, and immigrants come mostly from India and China. The official language is Thai, but Chinese and English can also be heard very often in the streets of this cosmopolitan city.

DISTRICTS
The metropolis of Bangkok is divided into 50 districts called khets. As the population growth steadily continues, the urban area expands very rapidly. The historical communities scattered along the river are all now linked by a dense metro network. Interestingly, it would be quite difficult to point to any particular place constituting the strict centre of the city. Each district is famous for different reasons, and the most important khets are as follows:

Phra Nakhon is the old part of Bangkok, located on the eastern riverbank of the Chao Phraya. This is the place to visit if you're looking for spectacular examples of historical Thai architecture. The most famous Bangkok attractions are all found here.
Dusit is the administrative district of the city. It's home to the national parliament, the royal palace and a number of ministries.
Sathon is one of the many business districts of Bangkok, with streets lined with skyscrapers and the representative offices of many international companies.
Siam Square is a shopping paradise, full of malls, luxurious hotels and popular restaurants.

SIGHTS & ATTRACTIONS
The amount of attractions that Bangkok has to offer is truly staggering. It can certainly be said that anyone, regardless of their interests, is sure to find something just for them in this chaotic urban jungle. Whatever the reason for your trip to Bangkok, there are a number of metropolitan landmarks that are particularly worth visiting.

The Grand Palace is a true gem within Bangkok's large collection of architectural sights. Until the beginning of the 20th Century, it was the royal residence and seat of the government. Currently uninhabited, it continues to amaze and charm visitors. The famous Temple of the Emerald Buddha is also part of the complex. More info on the admission fee and how to get there: The Palace: http://thailandforvisitors.com/central/bangkok/ratanakosin/prakeo The Temple: http://thailandforvisitors.com/central/bangkok/ratanakosin/prakeo/green/index.html
Wat Pho, The Temple of the Reclining Buddha, is the largest wat (temple) in Bangkok. This 200-year-old shrine is home to a fantastic, giant, gold-plated figure of Buddha. More info on the admission fee and how to get there: http://www3.oag.com/Cities/Detail?cat=1&city=185&item=160281
Lak Muangis a famous shrine devoted to Bangkok's guardian deity. The temple hosts a wooden pillar erected in 1782 to celebrate the founding of the city. The spirit of the pillar is worshipped as the City Spirit. The shrine is open daily, and no admission fee is required.
The National Museum was founded in 1884 as Thailand's first public museum. It's considered the largest institution of its kind in Southeast Asia. With a permanent exhibit of a wide selection of items from various historical epochs, it serves as a great introduction to the traditions of this country. More info on the admission fee and how to get there: http://www.bangkoksite.com/NationalMuseum/index.htm
The Vimanmek Royal Mansion Museum is the largest golden teakwood building in the world. Not a single metal nail was used during the construction of this three-story structure. The museum hosts popular spectacles of traditional Thai dancing. More info on the admission fee and how to get there: http://www.bangkok-city.com/vimanmek.htm
Wat Benchamabophit, or The Marble Temple , is a temple built of white Carrana marble. Its architecture displays some European elements, such as stained-glass windows. Many religious festivals and processions take place in the shrine. More info on the admission fee and how to get there: http://www.thailandguidebook.com/watbencha.html

AIRPORTS
The city of Bangkok is easily reachable from nearly all parts of the world. There are two international airports in close proximity to the Thai capital.

Don Mueang International Airport is sometimes called the Former Bangkok International Airport, and is located 25 km from the city centre. The cheapest way to reach the centre is the airport bus, with a fare price of around Bt70, or the Airport Express train with tickets priced at Bt100. More info at: http://airportthai.co.th/airportnew/bangkok/index.asp?lang=en
New Bangkok International Airport is really called the Suvarnabhumi Airport, and is situated around 15 km from the centre of Bangkok. The best way to commute downtown is to take the suburban train for Bt30 or a bus shuttle for Bt15. Currently, a plan to build a high-speed overhead airport railway link is underway. It's estimated that when it's done, the journey between the centre and the terminals will not exceed 15 minutes. More info at: http://www.airportsuvarnabhumi.com/

LOCAL TRANSPORTATION
Bangkok offers several efficient ways of travelling around the city:

The Metro network is very well-developed and provides a fast way of commuting between all of the important tourist attractions, accommodation zones and business areas. Fares: Bt14 - 36. Trains run daily, from 6 a.m. to midnight.
Public buses are probably the cheapest way of getting around. Fares: Bt10 - 22.
Taxis are metred. The minimum charge for the first 3 km is Bt35, and around Bt5 for each km thereafter. On expressways, it is the passenger who pays the tolls.
BTS Sky Train, a high-speed elevated urban railway, has revolutionised city transportation within Bangkok. Fares: Bt10 - 40, depending on the distance.
Tuk-Tuks are a means of transportation very characteristic of the Thai capital. The three-wheel motorised taxis are especially popular for short distances. Remember to agree upon your fare in advance. For distances up to 3 km, it should not exceed Bt30.
Boats used as taxis are not an uncommon sight in Bangkok. The city was once called the Venice of the East, as its life concentrated upon the dense network of canals, or klongs. If you decide to take a boat ride, you'll have a chance to admire the cityscape from a different perspective.

HISTORY
The settlement history of Bangkok goes back to the 14th Century, when it was a small trading centre and a minor port. Its name is believed to derive from the Thai Bang Kohbang, being an expression used to name towns situated on riverbanks, and koh meaning 'island' and referring to the type of landscape. After the fall of the old Ayutthaya Kingdom in 1767, the new king Taksin chose the area of Bangkok for a new capital. However, it was only in 1782 that serious construction works were initiated in the city and the lengthy ceremonial name officially assigned to it by the next king. The metropolis has quickly become one of the most significant economic powers of the region in the intervening years, and has undergone substantial modernisation.

CITY LINKS

Bangkok Post, A Daily Newspaper in English: http://www.bangkokpost.net
Bangkok Metropolitan Administration: http://www.bma.go.th
Interesting Places in Bangkok: http://www.bangkoksite.com
Useful Tips: http://wikitravel.org/en/Bangkok
Tourist Authority of Thailand: http://www.tourismthailand.org/destinationguide/list.aspx?provinceid=1

UNIVERSITY LINKS

Chulalongkorn University, the oldest university in Thailand: http://www.chula.ac.th/chula/en/index.html
Thammasat University, the second-oldest university in Thailand: http://www.tu.ac.th/default.tu.old/default.eng.html
Kasetsart University, the first agricultural university in Thailand: http://www.ku.ac.th/english2003/